Driving
Driver's Licenses
1. Getting a driver's license
Driver's licenses in Korea are classified into LevelⅠand Level Ⅱ licenses. The types of motor vehicles that can be driven are dependent on the type of license. To get a driver's license, an applicant shall pass a total of three tests: a written exam, a driving course test, and a behind-the-wheel driving exam.
■Types of driver's licenses
Level Ⅰ Driver's License (large, ordinary, small, special), Level Ⅱ Driver's License (ordinary, small, motorcycles)
■Traffic safety education
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Intended for
Those who intend to obtain a driver's license -
Education hours
One hour before applying for the written exam -
Description
Audio-visual education -
What to bring
ID (resident registration certificate, passport, alien registration certificate, etc.), no fees are charged for the education course
■Health check
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Location
Health check clinics at regional driver's license examination offices or hospitals
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Fees
-Health check clinics at regional driver's license examination offices : Level Ⅰ driver's license for large/special motor vehicles: 7,000 won; other types of licenses: 6,000 won
-Hospitals: Fees vary by hospital.
■Written exam
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What to bring
Application form, 3 color photos taken within the last 6 months (3.5x4.5cm or 3x4cm), and ID (resident registration certificate, passport, alien registration certificate, etc.) -
Fees
Level Ⅰ,Ⅱ driver's license for ordinary motor vehicles: 10,000 won; driver's license for motorcycles: 8,000 won; Level Ⅱ driver's license for small motor vehicles: 10,000 won -
Description
40 multiple choice questions from among a question pool relating to transportation regulations, etc., required for safe driving -
Available languages
Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese -
Announcement of results
You can see your score on the computer screen and whether you have passed or failed right after the exam is finished.
■Application for a driving course test
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What to bring
Application form and ID (resident registration certificate, passport, alien registration certificate, etc.)
※If a representative of the applicant applies for the driving course test, he/she shall require his/her ID and a power of attorney written by the applicant. -
Fees
Level Ⅰ/Ⅱ driver's license for ordinary mortor vehicles: 25,000 won; Large/Special motor vehicles: 25,000 won, Level Ⅱ driver's license for small motor vehicles: 14,000; Driver's license for motorcycles: 10,000 won
An international driving permit issued in countries she or he is from shall be effective until the expiry date specified on it. The effective period of an international driving permit shall be one year maximum from the date of entering Korea. An international driving permit shall not be renewed when it expires.
■List of countries that accept international driving permits
■Exchanging a foreign driver's license for a Korean driver's license
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A foreigner with a driver's license issued by a nation that accepts international driving permits can receive a Korean driver's license after a health check.
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According to Article 84 of the Road Traffic Act, a foreigner shall submit his/her foreign driver's license when receiving a Korean driver's license.
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The submitted driver's license will be returned when the foreigner departs from the Republic of Korea or wants to cancel his/her Korean driver's license, or at the request of the diplomatic mission. The submitted driver's license will be discarded if it is not reclaimed within ten years from the date of exchange.
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A foreigner with a driver's license issued by a nation that does not accept a Korean driver's license shall be required to take a written exam and health check.
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The written exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions. Applicants can choose a language from among Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
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Documents required for exchanging a license from another country for a Korean license
Foreigners or overseas citizens
Korean nationals or permanent residents
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Foreign driver's license
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Passport
(Passport with stamps confirming entry and departure dates) -
Alien registration certificate
(Report card of the domestic place of residence for a foreign nationality Korean) -
3 color photos taken within the past 6 months
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Embassy certificate of license or Apostille (varies by nation)
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Certificate of entry into and departure from Korea (From the date of birth up to the passport)
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Fees : 8,000 won (ordinary Korean virsion),
10,000 won (ordinary English version)
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Foreign driver's license
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Passport
(With the passport stamps showing date of entry and departure, it must be possible to confirm a stay of over 90 days in the country issuing the license.)
※The right of permanent residence and visa are not acknowledged. -
Resident registration certificate (including resident registration certificates for Korean nationals residing abroad)
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3 color photos taken within the pass 6 months
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Embassy certificate of license of Apostille
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Certificate of entry into and departure from Korea
(From the date of birth up to the present) -
Fees : 8,000 won ( ordinary Korean virsion)
10,000 won (ordinary English version)
※ Accurate contents can be provided by contacting KoROAD as documents may vary depending on the nationality, visa, etc.
■Countries that accept Korean driver's licenses
Source: Seoul Life Guide (Seoul Metropolitan Government),
Seoul Foreigner Portal